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J UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



INTERVIEWS 



WITH 



INSPIRED MEN: 



OR 



f ttestions anstoerelf in Btxii^kxt ITanpsge. 



BY REV. LOYAL YOUNG. 

Ask thy elders, and they will tell thee. — Deut. xxxi : 7. 

\A>/ 7'/ ■ 

PITTSBURGH: 

John S. Davison, Bookseller, Publisher and Importer, 
No. 61 Market Street. 

18 57. 






Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1857, by 

LOYAL YOUNG, 

In the Clerk's Oflfice of the District Court of the United States 

for the "Western District of the State of Pennsylvania. 



Robert M. Riddle, print, Pittsbargh, Pa. 



CON TENTS 



Interview I. Subject— God. 

II. God's Purposes. 

III. Creation and Providence. 

IV. Salvation. 
V. The Law. 

YI. Means of Grace. 

VII. God/s Expostulations with various classes. 

VIII. TJie Anxious Inquirer directed. 



RECOMMENDATION. 



Rev. LOi^AL YOUNG:— 

I have perused your manu- 
script containing •' Interviews with Inspired Men," and deem 
the conception a happy one. The work is well adapted to sup- 
ply the inquiring- mind with valuable selections from the word 
of God judiciously applied to the solution of difficulties, the re- 
futation of objections, and the confirmation of revealed truth 
Its publication cannot fail to do good. It has my hearty appro- 
bation. D. ELLIOTT. 

Allegheny, January, 1857. 



PREFACE. 



This Book is what its title imports — a series of '-'Inter- 
views with Inspired Men" — not, indeed, in person but 
through the records of Inspiration. Tomes of Theology 
have been written to elucidate the topics here treated. 
But it has been judged by the writer that the simple 
language of Scripture, is often, after all, the best and 
most conclusive which these works furnish, and that 
even alone, in its own proper force and pertinence, it 
will often serve a better purpose than all that we can 
learnedly and elaborately say. Besides, these volumi- 
nous discussions are out of the reach of most, while such 
a small and unpretending volume can find its way to the 
poor and unskilled in argument. For these, and indeed 
for all right minded readers, the **thus saith the Lord" 
has superior power. Furthermore, God has promised 
that his own word shall have signal success in convincing 
doubters, and stopping the mouths of gainsayers. And 
it is wonderful to observe how adapted this very lan- 
guage of Scripture is to answer difficult questions and 
to confound specious argumentations. 



VIII Preface. 

Whatever may be thought of the drapeiy which the 
author has deemed needful to gather around these Inter- 
views, it has been judged only proper in order to put 
them in shape, and to keep up the pictorial aspect, for the 
i mparting of some additional interest, beyond a dry reci- 
tal of proof-texts. It may occur to some that the most 
pertinent passage is not in all cases cited. The richness of 
Scripture is seen in such an exercise, where sometimes 
a rich variety of texts spring up all admirably suited, 
but only one necessary for the purpose. 

Our Blessed Saviour replied to the great Adversary, not 
in the language of the schools, but in the simple, familiar 
terms of Scripture. Let us stand upon the infallible word 
which is given to be a thesaurus of argument, an armory 
for every stage of the War. Let us draw out of this 
arsenal of God our weapons, seeing they are such as 
He has promised to send home like the slingstone of 
David. Thus shall these brief passages strike between 
the joints of every Goliath's coat of mail, and lay each 
proud Philistine dead. M. W. J. 



INTRODUCTION 



This little book was suggested by a very 
small Catechism, with answers nearly in the 
language of the Bible, but not precisely so. — 
The writer of this concluded to improve upon 
the hint, and write a series of Doctrinal and 
Practical Questions, and answer them in the 
precise words of scripture. These pages present 
the result. 

Our appeal on all subjects, is, ''to the law and 
the testimony;" and the decisions of in spired wri- 
ters should be sufficient and satisfactory. 

In this work the sacred writers and God him- 
self, are represented as uttering, in familiar dia- 
logues, what we find penned and spoken by them 
in the Bible. In the first six chapters several 
names are used, expressive of the characters of 



X Introduction. 

those making inquiries, and participating in the 
conversation. 

Nicodemus^ represents a candid inquirer. 

Theophilus, a true )3eliever. 

Gallia, one careless about his opinions and 
indifferent about religion. 

Demas, a worldling. 

Herbert, a sceptic and objector. 



INTERVIEW I. 

SUBJECT— GOD. 

Nicodemus, Welcome friends. Your pre- 
sence to-day is naost acceptable. Perhaps you 
can solve some difficulties in several doctrinal 
points under which my mind labors. 

Demas, I am more anxious this morning to 
hear about the state of the markets. 

Gallio. I care but little about the doctrines 
of religion. It matters not what a man believes, 
provided he is sincere, and lives a blameless 
life. 

Theopkilus. Your opinion differs from that 
of inspired men, who lay much stress upon the 
doctrines^ as well as the duties of religion. 

Herbert, Inspired men^ as they are call-ed, 
say many things that I object to. 

Theopkilus, You are so little acquainted with 
their sentiments that it does not become you to 
condemn them. 



12 Subject — God. 

Nicodemus, It would give me great joy to 
have an interview with them. 

Tlieophilus Come with me, and I will in- 
troduce you. Will Gallio, Demas and Herbert, 
aceompany us ? 

Gallio, Though the subject gives me but 
little concern, I am willing to be present. 

Demas. My worldly business is urgent, but 
1 may allow myself a Jeiv minutes to hear what 
the Apostles and other inspired men say. I am 
especially desirous of hearing Paul, for he was 
a business man, working at making tents, and 
teaching that if a man did not work neither 
should he eat. 

Herbert, I will go and hear what the bab- 
blers say. 

( They enter a room called Revelation, where 
the inspired men are seated,) 

TheophilMs, Venerable and favored men ; 
my young friend Nicodemus, seeks this inter- 
view that his mind may be enlightened as to 
truth and duty. Being inspired, you cannot err 
in your instructions. 

Paul. We speak not in the words which 
man's wisdom teach eth, but which the Holy 
Ohost teacheth. 1st. Cor. 2 ; 13. 

Nicodemus, I am the more anxious on thac 



Subject — God. 13 

account to converse with you. Permit me then 
to ask in the first place, whether I am to at- 
tach any importance to the doctrines of re- 
ligion. 

Solomon. Buy the truth and sell it not. 

Prov. 23 : 23. 

Paul. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the 
doctrine. 1st Tim. 4 : 16. 

Gallio, Why is the doctrine so important ? 
I care but little whether a teacher is orthodox 
or heterodox, provided he is eloquent. 

John. He that abideth in the doctrine of 
•Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If 
there come any unto you, and bring not 
this doctrine, receive him not into your house, 
neither bid him God speed. 2d Jno. 9 : 10. 

Gallio, I dislike heresy hunting, I think 
we ought to be charitable. Some of the late 
novelties and errors as they are called, seem to 
be as good as the old doctrines, 

Paul. Be not carried about with divers 
and strange doctrines. Heb. 13 : 9, 

Nicodemus, Will men ever prefer error to 
truth ? 

Paul. The time will come, when they will 
not endure sound doctrine ; but after their own 
lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, 



1 4 Subject — God, 

having itching ears; and they shall turn away 
their ears from the truth, and shall be turned 
unto fables. 2d Tim. 4 : 3, 4. 

Theophilus. I am afraid that that time has 
come already. Some have even denied the ex- 
istence of God. 

David. The fool hath said in his heart there 
is no God. Ps. 14 : 1. 

Nicodemus. Who is the true God? 

Jeremiah. The Lord is the true God. 

Jer. 10 : 10. 

Nicodemus, Are there more Gods than one? 

Paul. There is but one God. 1st Cor. 8 : 6. 

Nicodemus, How can we know anything 
about him ? 

David. The heavens declare the glory of 
God, and the firmament sheweth his handi-work. 

Ps. 19 : 1. 

Herbert, Yes, Nature is my guide. I think 
we have no better. 

Peter. We have a more sure word of proph- 
ecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as 
unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until 
the day dawn and the day-star arise in your 
hearts. 2d Pet. 1 : 19. 

Nicodemus, How was this sure word of 
prophecy communicated to man ? 



Subject — God. 1 5 

Peter. The prophecy came not in old time 
by the will of man : but holy men of God spake 
as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 

2d Pet, 1 : 21. 

Nicodemus. Is the whole Bible inspired ? 

Paul. All scripture is given by inspiration 
of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for re- 
proof, for correction, for instruction in righteous- 
ness. 2d Tim. 3 : 16. 

Nicodemus, Let me ask then, what is God, 
and how is he to be worshipped ? 

JESUS. God is a Spirit : and they that wor- 
ship him must worship him in spirit and in 
truth. Jno. 4 : 24. 

Nicodemus, I will search, and fully under- 
stand his character. 

ZopHAR. Canst thou by searching find out 
God 1 Canst thou find out the Almighty unto 
perfection ? it is as high as heaven ; what canst 
thou do ? deeper than hell ; what canst thou 
know ? the measure thereof is longer than the 
earth and broader than the sea. Job. 11 ; 7 — 9. 

Nicodemus, 0, tell me then how great and 
glorious he is ! 

David. His greatness is unsearchable. 

Ps. 145 : 3. 

Nicodemus. What else do you say that 
he is? 



16 Subject — God, 

Paul. The King eternal, inimortal, invisible, 
the only wise God. 1st Tim. 1 : 17. 

Nicodemus. Has God never been seen? 

John. No man hath seen God at any time. 

Jno. 1: 18. 

Herlert. How then can we know anything 
about him, if he has never been seen 1 

Paul. The invisible things of him from the 
creation of the world are clearly seen, being un- 
derstood by the things that are made, even his 
eternal power and Godhead. Rom. 1 : 20. 

Nicodemus. Is God immutable ? Is there 
no variableness with him ? 

James. No variableness, neither shadow of 
turning. Jas. 1 : 17. 

Nicodemus. What is the extent of his power? 

JEHOVAH. I am the Almighty God. 

Gen. 17: 1. 

Nicodemus, How far does God's wisdom 
extend ? 

David. His understanding is infinite. 

Ps. 147: 5. 

Nicodemus: Is he holy ? 

The Seraphim. Holy, holy, holy, is the 
Lord of hosts. Isa. 6 : 3. 

Nicodemus Is he a God of truth ? 

Moses. A God of truth, and without iniquity ; 
just and right is he. Deut. 32 : 4. 



Subject — God. 17 

Nicode?nus. Is he good and merciful 1 

John. God is Love. 1st Jno. 4 : 8. 

Nicodemus. How many persons are there in 
the Godhead ? 

John. There are three that bear record in 
heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy 
Ghost : and these three are one. 1st Jno. 5 : 7. 

Nicodeinvs, Is the Son or Word, trulv God ? 

John. This is the true God and eternal life 
The Word was God. 1st Jno. 5 : 20. Jno. 1 : 1. 

TheophilMs, Even the Father calls the Son 
God. 

Paul. Unto the Son he saith, thy throne, O 
God, is forever and ever. Heb. 1 : 8. 

Theophilus. Does not the Holy Ghost claim 
to be God, when he complains of being provoked 
and tempted in the wilderness ? What does he 
say to the later Hebrews on the subject. 

Paul. The Holy Ghost saith. To-day if ye 
will hear his voice, harden not your hearts as in 
the provocation, in the day of temptation in the 
wilderness : when your fathers tempted me, 
proved me, and saw my works forty years. 
Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, 
and said, they do always err in their hearts ; and 
they have not known my ways. So I sware in 
my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest. 

Heb 3: 7—11. 



18 S^thject — God. 

Theophilus, When they tempted and provo- 
ked the Holy Spirit, whom do you say they pro- 
voked? 

Asaph. They tempted and provoked the most 
High God. Ps. 78 : o^. 

Theophilus. What did Peter say to Ananias, 
showing the Divinity of the Holy Ghost? 

Luke. Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan 
filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost ? Thou 
hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 

Acts 5 : 3, 4. 

Theophilus. We will return to-morrow, but 
on parting from you we desire the blessing of 
all the persons of the Trinity. 

Paul. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 
and the love of God, and the communion of the 
Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 

2d Cor. 13 : 14. 



INTERVIEW II. 

GOD'S PURPOSES. 

Theopliilus, We have come again, venerable 
men, to obtain further instruction. 

Nicodemus, I have difficulties on the subject 
of election, predestination, reprobation, and the 
like, and wish to ask whether the precious inheri- 
tance of the christian comes to him by accident, 
or by God's previous appointment ? 

Paul. We have obtained an inheritance,being 
predestinated according to the purpose of him 
who worketh all things after the counsel of his 
own will. Eph. 1 : 11. 

Herbert, I am of the opinion that if any are 
chosen of God, it is after they are worthy of being 
chosen. 

Paul. He hath chosen us in Him before the 
foundation of the world. Eph. 1 : 4. 

Theofltilus Was it because God foresaw some- 
thing good in us that He chose us ? or did He 
choose us that we should he holy % 



20 God's Purposes. 

Paul. That we should be holy. Eph. 1 : 4. 

Theophilus, To what privilege has God pre- 
destinated us ? 

Paul. Having predestinated us unto the 
adoption of children by Jeous Christ to Himself. 

Eph. 1 : 5. 

Nicodemus, Was it on account of any good 
in the creature that this predestination took place; 
or was it entirely dependent on the will of God? 

Paul. According to the good pleasure of his 
will. Eph. 1:5. 

Nicodemus. Is this decree of predestination 
absolute and unchangeable ? 

Paul. God willing more abundantly to shew 
unto the heirs of promise the immutability of 
His counsel, confirmed it by an oath. 

Heb. 6 : 17. 

Herhert, Well then, if T am elected, I shall 
be saved, let me do as I may. 

TheopMlus. No, if I am elected, it is through 
sanctification and faith. Is it not so ] 

Paul. God hath from the beginning chosen 
you to salvation, through sanctification of the 
spirit, and belief of the truth. 2d Thes. 2:13,8. 

TheopJiilus, You see that election does not 
lead to sin and unbelief, but to faith and holiness. 

Herbert. Well, I have another objection to 



God'^s Purposes. 21 

the doctrine. It makes God. partial, and there- 
fore u?i rigli teons. 

Paul. Is there unrighteousness with God ? 
God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have 
mercy, on whom I will have mercy, and I will 
have compassion on whom I will have compas- 
sion. So then, it is not of him that willeth, nor 
of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth 
mercy. For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh, 
Even for this same purpose have I raised thee 
up, that I might shew my power in thee, and 
that my name might be declared throughout all 
the earth. Therefore hath He mercy on whom 
He will have mercy, and whom He will He hard- 
eneth. Eom. 9 : 14—18. 

Herbert. Why then does God blame the 
sinner, and find fault with him, since the 
sinner does not resist His will ? 

Paul. Thou wilt say then unto me, why 
doth He yet find fault] for who hath resisted 
His will ] Rom, 9:19 

Herbert. Yes, that is my objection. 

Paul. Nay, but, man; who ait thou that 
repliest against God ? Shall the thing formed 
s^ay to him that formed it, why hast thou made me 
thus ? Hath not the potter power over the clay, 
of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor 
and another unto dishonor. Rom. 9 ; 20, 21. 



22 God's Purposes. 

Herbert How do you apply this figure ? 

Paul. What if God, willing to shew His 
wrath, and to make His power known, endured 
with much long suffering the vessels of wrath 
fitted to destruction ; and that He might make 
known the riches of His glory on the vessels of 
mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory, 
even us whom He hath called not of the Jews 
only, but also of the Gentiles. Rom. 9 : 22 — 24. 

Herbert. Whatever may be said of persons 
being ordained to salvation, I cannot admit that 
any have been ordained to condemnation. Are 
there any such ? 

JuDE. There are certain men crept in un- 
awares, who were before, of old, ordained to this 
condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace 
of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the 
only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Jude 4. 

Herbert. Then God must be the author of 
sin, since He fore-ordains what comes to pass. 

James. Let no man say when he is tempted, 
I am tempted of God ; for God cannot be tempt- 
ed with evil, neither tempteth He any man. 

Jas. 1 : 13.17. 

Herbert. God must be pleased then with the 
sinner's destruction. 



God''s Purposes. 23 

EzEKiEL. As I live, saith the Lord God, I 
have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but 
that the wicked turn from his way and live. 

Ezek. 33 : 11. 

Nicodemus. Is predestination consistent with 
free agency ] or can an act be wicked which 
God foreknew and decreed to permit ? 

Tlieojpliilus. I think you will find that though 
our blessed Savior was to be taken and crucified 
according to the counsel of God, this decree did 
not justify his crucifiers, who acted as though 
there was no decree. What did you say, Peter, 
to those that crucified Christ ] 

Teter, Him being delivered by the determi- 
nate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have 
taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and 
slain. Acts. 2 : 23. 

TheopMlus. The prayer of the disciples 
shows that Herod, Pilate, Gentiles and Jews, in 
crncifyiijg Christ fulfilled God's counsel. 

Nicodemus, What was said in that prayer ? 

The Disciples. Of a truth, against thy holy 
child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both 
Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles 
and the people of Israel, were gathered to- 
gether, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy 
counsel determined before to be done. 

Acts 4 : 27, 28. 



24 God'^s Purposes. 

Theophilus, Though Jesus was delivered up 
**by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge 
of God/' yet in His reply to Pilate He charges 
him who delivered Him up with sin. 

Nicodemus, What did he say to Pilate ? 

John. He that delivered me unto thee hath 
the greater sin. Jno. 19 : 11. 

Nicodemus. Is our election and consequently 
our salvation according to our own works ? 

Paul. Not according to our works, but ac- 
cording to his own purpose and grace, which was 
given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began. 

2d Tim, 1 : 9. 

Nicodemus, Has God left any whom he has 
predestinated to life, to fail of heaven ? 

Paul. Whom he did predestinate, them he 
also called ; and whom he called, them he also 
justified : and whom he justified, them he also 
glorified. Rom. 8 : 30. 

Nicodemus, How are such persons kept from 
final ruin ? 

Petek. Kept by the power of God through 
faith unto salvation. 1st Pet. 1 : 5. 

Nicodemus, Have we any thing to do with 
the secret purpose of God ? Is this to be our 
rule of action ? 

Moses. The secret things belong unto the 



God^s Purposes. 25 

Lord our God ; but those things which are re- 
vealed belong unto us, and to our children forever, 
that we may do all the words of this law. 

Deut. 29 : 29, 

Theophilus, Finite minds cannot compre- 
hend infinity. 

Paul. the depth of the riches both of the 
wisdom and knowledge of God ! How un- 
searchable are his judgments, and his ways 
past finding out ! Rom. 11 : 33. 

Nicodemus. How may I arrive at any cer- 
tainty that I am elected ? 

Peter. Give diligence to make your calling 
and eleciion sure. 2 Pet. 1 : 10. 

Nicodemus, May I feel confidence in myselt 
in view of my being elected 1 

Paul. Be not high-minded, but fear. 

Rom. 11 : 20. 

Tkecyphilus, If we have evidence of our elec 
tion, how should we be affected ? 

JESUS. Rejoice, because your names are 
written in heaven. Luke 10:20. 

Nicodeintts, Will no charge be brought 
against the elect of God ? 

Paul. Who shall lay anything to the charge 
of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 

Rom. 8 ; 33. 



26 Godh Purposes. 

Nicodemus. The doctrines of election and 
predestination are not so objectionable after all, 
and inspired men seem to hold them very much 
as though they had taken lessons of Calvin. 

Theophilus, No, Calvin took his lessons from 
them, 

Paul. Farewell, be perfect, be of good com- 
fort, be of one mind, live in peace ; and the God of 
love and peace shall be with you. 2 Cor. 13 ; 11. 



INTERVIEW III. 

CREATION AND PROVIDENCE, 

Nicodemus. Let us go again, and hear the 
wonderful teachings of these inspired men. 

TheGphilus. Yes, on this balmy evening^ 
when the heavens are all beauty, and the earth 
is clothed with its mantle of green, let us spend 
a little season with Moses, and David, and Solo- 
mon, and Paul, and Job, and Jesus himself. 

Nicodemus, Lawgiver of Israel, you have 
written on the subject of the creation of this 
beautiful world and of the sky above us ; who 
made the earth ? and when was it made ? 

Moses. In the beginning God created the 
heaven and the earth. Gen. 1:1. 

Nicodemus, What means did God employ in 
creating the universe ? 

David. He spake, and it was done ; he com- 
manded, and it stood fast. Ps. 33 : 9. 

Nicodemus, For what purpose did God cre- 
ate the world ? 



28 Creation and Providence. 

Isaiah. He formed it to be inhabited. 

Isa. 45 : 18. 

TheopJtilus The works of God are calcula-' 
ted to fill us with devout admiration ! 

Davjd. I<ord, how manifold are thy 
works ! in wisdom hast thou made them all : the 
earth is full of thy riches. Ps. 104 : 24. 

Nicodemus. How was man created ? 

Moses. The Lord God formed man of the 
dust of the ground, and breathed into his nos- 
trils the breath of life ; and man became a liv- 
ing soul. Gen. 2 : 7. 

Nicodemus, Did God create man in any re- 
spect like himself ? 

Moses. God created man in his own image. 

Gen. 1 : 27. 

Nicodemus. Did man resemble God, at his 
creation, more than now ? 

Solomon. Lo ! this only have I found, that 
God hath made man upright; but they have 
sought out many inventions ? Eccl. 7 : 29. 

Nicodemus, Does God uphold as well as cre- 
ate ? 

Paul. In him we live and move, and have 
our being. Acts, 17 : 28. 

Nicodemus. Does God's providence extend 
to minute things and events ? 



Creation and Providence. 29 

JESUS. Are not two sparrows sold for a 
farthing ? and one of them shall not fall on the 
ground without your Father. But the very 
hairs of your head are all numbered. 

Matt. 10 : 29.30. 

Nicodemus, Has God special care for us his 
rational creatures ? 

JESUS. Behold the fowls of the air: for 
they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather 
into barns ; yet your heavenly Father feedeth 
them. Are ye not much better than they ? 
And why take ye thought for raiment? Con- 
sider the lilies of the field how they grow ; they 
toil not, neither do they spin ; and yet I say unto 
you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not 
arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God 
so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, 
and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he 
not much more clothe you, ! ye of little faith? 

Matt. 6 : 26, 28, 30. 

Theophilus, Do God's people receive advan- 
tage from all his dispensations ? 

Paul. All things work together for good, to 
them that love God, to them who are the called 
according to his purpose. Rom. 8 : 28. 

Theophilus, Do you mean that even our af- 
flictions are good for us ? 



30 Creation and Providence. 

Paul. Our light affliction, which is but for a 
moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding 
and eternal weight of glory. 2 Cor. 4 : 17. 

Nicodemus. Does God ever mean for our 
good, what evil men devise against us ? 

Theophilus, Yes ; Joseph is an example. — 
His brothers designed to do him an injury when 
they sold him ; but God meant it for his good, 
and for the good of others. Joseph, I would 
thank you to repeat to my friend Nicodemus, 
what you said to your brothers on the sub- 
ject. 

Joseph. Ye thought evil against me; but 
God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is 
this day, to save much people alive. 

Gen. 50 : 20. 

Now, therefore, be not grieved, nor angry with 
yourselves, that ye sold me hither ; for God did 
send me before you, to preserve life. So now it 
was not you that sent me hither, but God. 

Gen. 45: 5.8. 

Nicodemus, Is the same true of other per 
sons besides Joseph's brethren ? 

Solomon. A man's heart deviseth his way, 
but the Lord directeth his steps. Prov. 16:9. 

Herbert, Is not God then the author of sin ? 

David. The Lord is righteous in all his 
ways, and holy in all his works. Ps. 145 : 17. 



Creation and Providence. 31 

Nicodemus, Am I then to understand, that, 
when a sinful act is permitted and overruled by 
Providence, to bring about good, the sinfulness 
of ihQ act proceeds from the immediate agent 
and not from God ? » 

John. All that is in the world, the lust of the 
flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of 
life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 

lJno.2:16. 

Nicodemus, How came sin into the world ? 

Paul. By one man sin entered into the 
world, and death by sin. Rom. 5 : 12. 

Nicodemus, Who was that man ? 

Paul. In Adam all die. 1 Cor. 15 : 22. 

Nicodemus. What command of God did 
Adam break, in introducing sin into the world ? 

Moses. The Lord God commanded the man, 
saying, of every tree of the garden thou may est 
freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good 
and evil, thou shalt not eat of it : for in the day 
that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die. 

Gen. 2:16, 17. 

Nicodemus, After such an explicit prohibi- 
tion of the tree, did Adam eat thereof ? 

Moses. He did eat. Gen. 3:6. 

Nicodemus. What effect had this transgres- 
sion upon the human race ? 



32 Creation and Providence. 

Paul. As by one man sfn entered into the 
world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon 
all men, for that all have sinned. Rom. 5 : 12. 

Nicodemus, Is Adam's first transgression 
imputed to us, and are \Ye exposed to punish- 
ment on account of it ? 

Paul. By \\\^ offence of one, judgment came 
upon all men to condemnation. Rom. 5 : 18^ 

Nicodemus. What is the state of the hu- 
man heart ? 

Jeremiah. The heart is deceitful above all 
things, and desperately wicked. Jer. 17 : 9. 

Nicodemus, Are all men sinners ? 

Solomon. There is not a just man upon 
earth, that doeth good and sinneth not. 

Eccl. 7 : 20. 

Herhert. But, Solomon, there have been im- 
provements since your time. Perhaps the ^l^/r.^* 
ties can give a more favorable account of the con- 
dition of men. 

Paul. All have sinned and come short of 
the glory of God. Rom. 3 : 23. 

James. In many things we offend all. 

Jas. 3 : 2. 

Herhert. I can live without sin. And some 
Christians give their own experience as evidence 
that they have no sin. 



Creation and Providence. 33 

John. If we say that we have no sin; we de- 
ceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 

1 John. 1 : 8. 

Herbert. Well, I think, that men may and 
do sometimes free themselves from sin. 

Solomon. Who can say, I have made my 
heart clean, I am free from my sin ? Pro v. 20 : 9. 

Herbert. Many say so : and Job is adduced 
as an example of freedom from sin. 

Job. If I say, I am perfect, it shall also 
prove me perverse.* Job. 9 : 20. 

Nicodemus. Are we sinners when born ? 

David. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, 
and in sin did my mother conceive me. 

Ps. 51 : 5. 

Herbert. David's case may be peculiar. — 
Others of our race may have been born of sinful 
parents, and yet have been born in a state of en- 
tire innocence. 

Job. Who can bring a clean thing out of an 
unclean ? Not one. Job. 14:4. 

Nicodemus. What were all christians previ- 
ous to their conversion ? 

Paul. By nature the children of wrath, even 
as others. Eph. 2 : 3. 



*This disclaimer of Job, shows that where he is caned "per- 
fect and upright," in the first chapter, it means only, that he wag 
a man of unimpeachable character and sincere piety. 



34 Creation and. Providence, 

Nicodemus. Can persons be children of 
wrath, or liable to death without sin ? 

Paul. The wages of sin is death. 

Rom. 6 : 23. 
Nicodemus, How did death come to reign 
on earth ? 

Paul. By one man's offence death reigned 
bv one. Rom. 5 : 17. 

Nicodemus. Does sin expose to anything 
more than temporal death ? 

David. The wicked shall be turned into hell. 

Ps. 9 : 17. 

Nicodemus. How long shall the wicked 
suffer ? 

JESUS. These shall go away into everlast- 
ing punishment. Matt. 25 : 46. 

Nicodemus. This is a fearful consideration ! 

Paul. It is a fearful thing to fall into the 
hands of the living God. Heb. 10 : 31. 

Demas. I think it time to depart. I have 
to attend to pressing business. 

John. Little children keep yourselves from 
idols. 1 Jno. 5 : 21. 



INTERVIEW IV. 

SALVATION. 

Nicodemus, Venerable men, since our lag^ 
interview I have pondered much on Paul's part- 
ing remark about the fearfulness of everlasting 
death. How may we escape ? 

JESUS. God so loved the world, that He 
gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever be- 
lieveth in Him, should not perish, but have ever- 
lasting life. Jno. 3 : 16. 

Nicodemus, Who is the son of God ? 

JESUS. I that speak unto thee am He. 

Jno. 4 : 26. 

Nicodemus. Is there no other Saviour ? 

Peter. Neither is there salvation in any 
other : for there is none other name under heaven 
given among men, whereby we must be saved. 

Acts 4 : 12. 

Nicodemus, What has Christ done to save 
us? 



36 Salvation, 

Paul. Christ hath redeemed us from the 
curse of the law, being made a curse for us : for 
it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on 
a tree. Gal. 3 : 13. 

Nicodemus, Could we not have been saved 
without a sacrifice ? 

Paul. Without shedding of blood is no 
remission. Heb. 9 : 22, 

Nicodemus, What is the price of our re- 
demption ? 

Peter. Ye were not redeemed with corrupt- 
ible things, as silver and gold, from your vam 
conversation received by tradition from your 
fathers ; but with the precious blood of Christ, 
as of a lamb without blemish, and without spot. 

1 Pet. 1 : 18, 19. 

Nicodemus, Is any further offering neces- 
sary % 

Paul. By one offering he hath perfected for- 
ever them that are sanctified. Heb. 10 : 14. 

Nicodemus, Will the blood of Christ take 
away all the sins of God's people ? 

John. The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, 
cleanseth us from all sin. 1 Jno. 1 : 7. 

Theophihis, John heard the redeemed in 
heaven singing their new song to the Lamb, as- 
cribing their salvation to Him. 



Salvation. 37 

Nicodemus. What did tliey say ? 

John. Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed 
us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, 
and tongue, and people, and nation. Rev. 5 : 9. 

Nicodemus, Why ought we to believe on 
Jesusi 

John. That believing, ye might have life 
through his name. Jno. 20 : 31. 

Herbert, If we are to be saved through faith ^ 
does not this make void the law? 

Paul. Do we then make void the law through 
faith ? God forbid : vea, we establish the law. 

Rom. 3 : 31. 

Herhei't, But, Paul, did you never lean on 
good works for salvation ? 

Paul. My manner of life from my youth, 
which was at the first among mine own nation at 
Jerusalem, know all the Jews ; which knew me 
from the beginning, (if they would testify,) that 
after the most straitest sect of our religion T 
lived a Pharisee. Acts 26 : 4, 5. 

Herhert. Why then do you not still rely upon 
your own righteousness ? 

Paul. What things were gain to me, those 
I counted loss for (!)hrist. Yea, doubtless, and 
I count all things but loss for the excellency of 
the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord : for 



38 Salvation. 

whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and 
do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 
and be found in him, not having mine own 
righteousness, which is of the law, but that which 
is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness 
which is of God by faith. Phil. 3 : 7—9. 

Nicodemus. Can there be no true faith with- 
out accompanying works ? 

James. Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, 
being alone. Jas. 2:17. 

Herbert, I am a true believer. I believe in 
the existence of one living and true God. 

James. Thou believest that there is one God ; 
thou doest well : the devils also believe, and 
tremble. Jas. 2 : 19. 

Herbert. I believe that some impenitent sin- 
ners have perished, but have also the opinion, 
that there may be saving faith without re- 
pentance ? 

JESUS. Except ye repent, ye shall all 
likewise perish. Luke 13 : 3. 

Herbert. Is not sorrow a sure evidence of 
repentance ? 

Paul. The sorrow of the world worketh 
death. 2 Cor. 7 ; 10. 

Nicodemus, What kind of sorrow is in sav- 
ing repentance ? 



Salvation. 39 

Paul, Godly sorrow worketh repentance to 
salvation not to be repented of. 2 Cor. 7 : 10. 

Nicodemus, When we have true repentance, 
what opinion shall we entertain of sin and of 
ourselves ? 

EzEKiEL. Then shall ye remember your own 
evil ways, and your doings that were not good, 
and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight, for 
your iniquities, and for your abominations. 

Ezek. 36 : 31. 

Nicodemus. When we truly repent, may we 
continue to indulge in sin ? 

EzEKiEL. Repent, and turn yourselves from 
all your transgressions. Ezek. 18 : 30. 

Nicodemus. How is the hoii^YeiY justified be- 
fore God ? 

Paul. Justified freely by his grace through 
the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 

Rom. 3:24. 

Nicodemus. Will every one that truly be- 
lieves be saved ? 

JESUS. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he 
that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 

Jno. 6 : 47. 

Nicodemus. Are we accepted then simply be- 
cause we have faith ? 

Paul. He hath made us accepted in the 
Beloved. Eph. 1 : 6. 



40 Salvation. 

Tlicoplillus, What is the foundation of our 
acceptance % 

Paul. Tiie righteousness of God. 

Rom, 3:22. 

TJieopMlus, By what instrumentality are we 
accepted ? 

Paul. By faith of Jesus Christ. 

Rom. 3 : 22. 

Theopliilus, To whom, and upon whom, will 
this righteousness ot God, (or of Christ) be be- 
stowed % 

Paul. Unto all and upon all them that believe. 

Rom. 3 : 22. 

Theophilus, How then can we present to 
God a perfect righteousness 1 

Paul. Of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who 
of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteous- 
ness. 1st Cor. 1 : 30. 

Nicodemus, May I come to thee with my 
burdened heart, 0, Lord ? 

JESUS. Come unto me, all ye that labor, 
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Matt. 11 : 28. 

Nicodemus, I wish further instruction about 
the natures and offices of Christ, the *'Word,'' 
as he is called. 1 have been told that he had 
the nature of God, and took upon him this nature 
of man. Was he God ] 



Salvation. 41 

John. The Word was God. Jiio. 1 : 1. 

Nlcodemus. Did he become man 1 

John. The word was made flesh. Jno. 1 : 14. 

Nicodem7is, When and why did he become 
man ? 

Paul. When the fulness of the time was come, 
God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made 
under the law, to redeem them that were under 
the law, that we might receive the adoption of 
sons. Gal. 4:4,5. 

Nicorle?nus, Do you say that he took upon 
him human nature ? 

Paul. Verily, He took not on Him the nature 
of angels ; but He took on Him the seed of Abra- 
ham. Heb. 2: 16. 

Nicodemus, Had Jesus, like us, a sinful na- 
ture % 

Paul. He was in all points tempted like as 
we are, yet without sin, Heb. 4 : 15. 

Theophilus. Are our sins imputed to this 
Sinless One? 

Peter. His own self bare our sin.s in His 
own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, 
■should live unto righteousness : by whose stripes 
ye were healed. 1 Pet. 2 : 24. 

Nicodemus. 1 have been told that Christ held 
three offices. Did any one speak of Christ as a 
Pro^Jiet ? 



42 Salvation* 

Petek. Moses truly said unto the fathers, A 
Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto 
you of your brethren, like unto me ; him shall 
ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say 
unto you. Acts 3 : 22. 

Nicodemus. What will become of those who 
will not attend to His counsels? 

Peter. It shall come to pass, that every 
soul, which will not hear that Prophet, shall be 
destroyed from among the people. Acts 3 : 23. 

Nicodemus "Why was Jesus made like unto 
his brethren ot mankind? 

Paul. That He might be a merciful and 
faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God. 

Heb. 2 : 17. 

Nicodemus, And why did He become a 
Priest? 

Paul. To make reconciliation for the sins of 
the people. Heb. 2 ; 17. 

Nicodemus. Does He do anything else for 
them as their Priest? 

Paul. He ever liveth to make intercession 
for them, Heb. 7 : 25. 

Nicodemus. What kind of a kingdom hath 
Christ? 

JESUS. My kingdom is not of this world. 

Jno. 18: 36. 

Pilate. Art thou the King of the Jews? 



Salvation. 43 

JESUS. Thou sayest it. Luke 23 : 3. 

Nicodemus, Why was Jesus anointed 
King? 

Paul. That at the name of Jesus every knee 
should bow, of things in heaven and things in 
earth, and things under the earth ; and that ev- 
ery tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is 
Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Phil, 2: 10, 11 

J^icodemus. How long will He reign? 

Paul. He must reign, till He hath put all 
enemies under his feet. 1 Cor. 15 : 25. 

Nicodemus, Could you inform me in one sen- 
tence, the object of Christ's executing the three- 
offices of Prophet, Priest and KJng? 

Paul. Of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, wha 
of God is made unto us Wisdom, and Eight-^ 
eousness, and Sanctification, and Redemption ; 
that according as it is written, he that glorietb 
let him glory in the Lord. 1 Cor. 1 : 30, 31. 

Nicodemus, What do you say of Christ's hu- 
miliation, of which some speak? 

Paul. He humbled himself, and became obe- 
dient unto death, even the death of the Cross. 

Phil. 2 : 8. 

Nicodemus, Some speak of His exaltation.. 
How did God exalt Him? 



44 Salvation. 

Paul. He set Him at His own right hand 
in the heavenly places. Eph. 1 ; 20. 

Nicodemus, Why does God require all men 
to repent? 

Paul. Because He hath appointed a day, 
in which He will judge the world in righteous- 
ness, by that man whom He hath ordained. 

Acts 17 : 31. 

Herhert^ What assurance have we of this? 

Paul. He hath given assurance to all men, 
in that He hath raised him from the dead. 

Acts 17 ; 31. 

Nicodemus, By whom are we called into a 
state of salvation? 

Paul. God is faithful, by whom ye were call- 
ed into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ, 
our Lord. 1 Cor. 1 : 9. 

Nicodemus. I wish to ask a plain, direct, and 
important question, viz : How are we saved? 

Paul. By grace are ye saved through faith. 

Eph. 2 : 8. 

Nicodemus, Can we exercise faith of our- 
selves? 

Paul. Not of yourselves : it is the gift of 
God. Eph. 2 : 8. 

Herbert, I have power to come to Christ 
without any supernatural influence. 



Salvation. 4S 

JESUS. No man can conae to me, except 
the Father which hath sent me draw him. 

Jno. 6 : 44. 

Herbert, If I cannot do much without divine 
aid, I can will to do what is right, 

Paul. It is God which worketh in you both 
to will and to do of His good pleasure. 

Phil. 2 : 13. 

Nicodemus, May those that are willing come 
to Christ without being repulsed? 

JESUS. Whosoever will, let him take the 
water of life freely. Rev. 22 : 17, 

Nicodemus, I thirst for the water of life. 

JEHOVAH. Ho! every one that thirsteth, 
come ye to the waters. Isa, 55 : 1 

Nicodemus, I have no money to buy it 
with. 

JEHOVAH. He that hath no money ; come 
ye, buy and eat ; yea, come, buy wine and milk 
without money and without price. Isa. 56 : 1, 

Nicodemm. How may I be qualified for the 
kingdom of heaven] 

JESUS. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Ex- 
cept a man be born again, he cannot see the 
kingdom of God. John 3:3. 

Nicodemus. How can a man be born when 
he is old? 



46 Salvation. 

JESUS. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, ex^ 
cepta man be born of water and of the Spirit, 
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That 
which is born of the flesh is flesh ; and that 
which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not 
that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. — 
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hear- 
est the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence 
it Cometh, and whither it goeth : so is every one 
that is born of the Spirit. Jno. 3 : 5 — 8. 

Nicodemus, How can these things be? 

JESUS. Art thou a master of Israel, and 
knowest not these things? Jno. 3:10. 

Nicodemus, How am I to obtain the new 
birth? 

JEHOVAH. A new heart also will I give 
you, and a new spirit will I put within you : aiid 
I will take away the stony heart out of your 
flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 

Ezek. 36 : 26. 

Nicodemus. Am I to expect the blessing 
without seeking for it? 

JESUS. Ask, and it shall be given you; 
seek, and ye shall find. Matt. 7 : 7. 

Nicodemus. What is the evidence of being a 
new creature? 

Paul. Old things are passed away ; behold, 
all things are become new. 2 Cor. 5 : 17 



Salvation. 47 

Nicodemus, Can no unrenewed heart enter 
the New Jerusalem? 

John. There shall in no wise enter into it any 
thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh 
abomination, or maketh a lie. Rev. 21 : 27. 

Nicodemus, Who then shall enter? 

John. They which are written in the Lamb's 
book of life. Rev. 21 : 27. 

Nicodemus. What other advantage has God 
bestowed upon believers besides effectual 
calling? 

Paul. Whom He called, them He also justi- 
fied. Rom. 8 : 30. 

Theophilus. Have we not enjoyed another 
great privilege? 

Paul. Ye have received the Spirit of adop- 
tion, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 

Rom. 8 : 15. 

Theophilus. Has God called us to anything 
else? 

Paul. God hath called us unto holiness, 

1 Thes. 4 : 7. 
Theophilus. What other advantages are 
ours? 

Paul. All things are yours. 1 Cor. 3: 22. 
Theophilus, What evidence have we of our 
high vocation? 



48 Salvation. 

Paul. The love of God is shed abroad in 
our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given 
unto us. Rom. 5 : 5. 

Theophilus. Have we not other evidence 
also? 

Paul. We have peace with God, through 
our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:1. 

Theophilus, Are not our joys as christians 
sometimes, very great even in this life, in view 
of the love of Jesus? 

Peter. Though now ye see him not, yet be- 
lieving, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and fiill 
of glory. 1st Pet. 1:8. 

Theophilus, Do Christians grow in grace? 

Solomon. The path of the just is as the 
shining light, that shineth more and more unto 
the perfect day. 

Theophilus. Some teach that the believer 
may fall from his state of grace and finally 
perish. Will God allow my poor soul to be lost 
after having made a covenant with me to save 
me? 

Isaiah. The mountains shall depart, and the 
hills be removed ; but my kindness shall not 
depart from thee^ neither shall the covenant of 
my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath 
mercy on thee. Isa. 54 : 10. 



Salvation. 49 

Herbert, True, God will be faithfal and not 
forsake his people if they do not forsake him. 
But they may forsake the Lord and perish. 

JEHOVAH. I will put my fear in their 
hearts, that they shall not depart from me. 

Jer. 32 : 40 

Herbert, But the devil or some other power 
may separate true christians, (if there are any,) 
from God's love. 

Paul. I am persuaded, that neither death, 
nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, 
nor things present, nor things to come, nor 
height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall 
be able to separate us from the love of God 
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Rom. 8 : 38, 39. 

Herbert. "Well, Paul, you seem to have a great 
deal of confidence. 

Paul. I know whom I have believed, and am 
persuadc^d that he is able to keep that which I 
have committed unto him against that day. 

2d Tim. 1 : 12. 

Nicodemus, I wish to know something about 
the future condition of the righteous. What 
becomes of his body which is deposited in the 
grave? 

Paul. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in 
glory. 1st Cor. 15 : 43. 



50 Salvation. 

Nicodemus. Will all sleep in death? 

Paul. We shall not all sleep, but we shall 
all be changed. 1st Cor. 15 : 51. 

Nicodemus, How suddenly and when? 

Paul. In a moment, in the twinkling of an 
eye, at the last trump : for the trumpet shall 
sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, 
and we shall be changed. 1st Cor. 15 : 52. 

Nicodemus. Some tell us that the souls of 
believers when they die, do not go directly to 
heaven, but to some middle place where they 
await the resurrection of the body. If our 
bodies were dissolved, should we go away to 
some place separate from heaven? 

Paul. We know that if our earthly house of 
this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a build- 
ing of God, an house not made with hands, eternal 
in the heavens. 2nd Cor. 5 : 1. 

Nicodemus, Will the believer have much 
enjoyment in heaven? 

Paul. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nei- 
ther have entered into the heart of man, the 
things which God hath prepared for them that 
love Him. 1 Cor. 2 : 9. 

Theophilus. What shall we be when with 
Christ in heaven? 

John. It doth not yet appear what we shall 



Salvation. 51 

be : but we know that, when He shall appear, 
we shall be like Him ; for we shall see Him as 
He is. 1 Jno. 3 : 2. 

TheopJiilus, Demas and Gallio have not been 
with us on this instructive occasion. I remem- 
ber that Demas once spoke highly of Paul's in- 
structions. It is strange that he has absented 
himself. 

Paul. Demas hath forsaken me, having lov- 
ed this present world. 2 Tim. 4 : 10. 

Luke. Gallio cared for none of those things. 

Acts 18 : 17. 

Theophilus. May we bring others to hear 
your instructions, at the next interview? Per- 
sons of different stations and relations in life de- 
sire to listen. 

JESUS. He that hath ears to hear, let him 
hear. Matt. 21 : 15. 



INTERVIEW V. 

THE LAW. 

Theophilus, Having learned the main points 
of Doctrine, we have all come to ask about the 
Duties of religion. 

Nicodemus, I feel anxious to know what I 
am to do ; but would like first to learn how the 
Moral Law was given, and the scenes attending, 
when it was promulged on Mount Sinai. 

Moses. It came to pass on the third day in 
the morning, that there were thunders and light- 
nings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and 
the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud ; so that 
all the people that was in the camp trembled. — 
And Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, be- 
cause the Lord descended upon it in fire : and 
the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a 
furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. — 
And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, 
and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake and 



The Law. 53 

God answered him by a voice. 

Ex. 19 : 16,18,19. 

Nicodemus, Did God communicate the law 
in any other way except by an audible voice? 

Moses. He gave unto Moses, when he had 
made an end of communing with him upon 
Mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of 
stone, written with the finger of God. 

Ex. 31 : 18. 

Nicodemus, How many commandments did 
God give in these two tables? 

Moses. He wrote upon the tables the words 
of the covenant, the ten commandments. 

Ex. 34 : 28. 

Nicodemus, Which is the first commandment? 

JEHOVAH. Thou shalt have no other gods 
before me. Ex. 20 : 3. 

Nicodemus, I have heard it said that there 
are Atheists, men who disbelieve in the very 
existence of a Supreme Being. Can this be ? 

David. The fool hath said in his heart, "there 
is no God.'' Ps. 14 : 1. 

Nicodemus. Would it be unsafe for me to 
worship idols'? 

David. Confounded be all they that serve 
graven images; that boast themselves of idols. 

Ps. 97 : 7. 



54 The Law. 

Herbert. I hardly think that God will take 
notice of a little idolatrous worship, or mere 
forgetfulness of his own worship. 

David. If we have forgotten the name of 
our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange 
god, shall not God search this out? For he 
knoweth the secrets of the heart. 

Ps.l4:20, 21. 

Nicodemus. Which is the second command- 
ment? 

JEHOVAH. Thou shalt not make unto thee 
any graven image, or any likeness of any thing 
that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth 
beneath, or that is in the water under the earth : 
thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor 
serve them ; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous 
God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the 
children unto the third and fourth generation of 
them that hate me, and shewing mercy unto 
thousands of them that love me, and keep my 
commandments^ Ex. 20 : 4 — 6. 

Nicodemus, Though we may not worship im- 
ages, may we not use them in the worship of 
God to assist devotion? 

Moses. Take ye, therefore, good heed unto 
yourselves (for ye saw no manner of similitude 
on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Ho- 



The Law. 55 

reb,) lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a 
a graven image. Deut. 4 : 15, 16. 

Nicodemus, Which is the third command- 
ment? 

JEHOVAH. Thou shalt not take the name 
of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will 
not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in 
vain. Ex. 20 : 7. 

Nicodemus Is the common practice of swear- 
ing a great evil? 

Jeremiah. Because of swearing the land 
mourneth. Jer. 23 : 10. 

Nicodemus, What have I to fear if I do not 
reverence the name of God? 

Moses. If thou wilt not observe to do all 
the words of this law, that are written in this 
book, that thou mayest fear this great and glo- 
rious name, " the Lord thy God ; '' then the 
Lord will make thy plagues wonderful. 

Deut. 28 : 58.59. 

Nicodemus, Which is the Jourth command- 
ment? 

JEHOVAH Eemember the Sabbath day 
to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and 
do all thy work : but the seventh day is the Sab- 
bath of the Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not 
do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, 



56 The Law. 

thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy 
cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 
for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, 
the sea, and all that in them is, and rested ihQ 
seventh day : wherefore the Lord blessed the 
Sabbath day and hallowed it. Ex. 20 : 8 — 11. 

Nicodemus, What advantage will it be to 
me to keep the Sabbath? 

Isaiah. If thou turn away thy foot from 
the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy 
day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy 
of the Lord, honorable ; and shalt honor Him, 
not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own 
pleasure, nor speaking thine own words : then 
shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord ; and I will 
cause thee to ride upon Wi^ high places of the 
earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob 
thy father : for the mouth of the Lord hath spo- 
ken it, Isa. 58 : 13, 14. 

TheopMlus, What did God threaten to Judah 
if Ihey profaned the Sabbath? 

Jeremiah. If ye will not hearken unto me to 
hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a bur- 
den, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem 
on the sabbath day ; then will I kindle a fire in 
the gates thereof, and it shall devour the pala- 
ces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched. 

Jer. 17 : 27. 



The Law. 67 

TheojpMlus, Was this threatening executed? 

EzEKiEL. The Chaldeans burned the king's 
house, and the houses of the people, with fire, 
and brake down the walls of Jerusalem. 

Ezek. 39 : 8. 

Theophilus. If rulers would do their duty 
they might prevent the open violation of the Sab- 
bath. I think that when ISTehemiah governed 
Jerusalem, he suppressed sabbath breaking. — - 
Let me ask you Nehemiah, hovj you produced so 
salutary a reform? 

Neuemiah. In those days saw I in Judah 
some treading wine-presses on the Sabbath, and 
bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also 
wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of bur- 
dens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the 
Sabbath day : and I testified against them in 
the day wherein they sold victuals. There 
dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought 
fish, and all manner of ware, and sold them on 
the Sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in 
Jerusalem. Then I contended with the nobles 
of Judah, and said unto them, what evil thing is 
this that ye do, and profane the Sabbath day.? 
Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God 
bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? 
yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profan- 



68 The Law. 

ing the Sabbath. And it came to pass, that 
when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark 
before the Sabbath, I commanded that the gates 
should be shut, and charged that they should not 
be opened till after the Sabbath : and some of my 
servants set I at the gates, that there should no 
burden be brought in on the Sabbath day. So 
the merchants and sellers of all kinds of ware 
lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. Then 
I testified against them, and said unto them, why 
lodge ye about the wall? if you do so again, I 
will lay hands on you. Neh. 13 : 15, 21. 

Theojihilus^ What effect did these decisive 
measures produce? 

Nehemiah. From that time forth came they 
no more on the Sabbath. Neh. 13 : 21, 

Nicodemus, Which is the fifth command- 
ment? 

JEHOVAH. Honor thy father and thy 
mother; that thy days may be long in the land 
which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 

Ex. 20 : 12. 

Parents. What are our duties in view of this 
commandment.? 

Paul. Provoke not your children to wrath : 
but bring them up in the nurture and admoni- 
tion of the Lord. Eph. 6 : 4. 



The Law. 59 

Children. What is ou7' duty? 

Paul. Children, obey your parents in the 
Lord: for this is right. Eph. 6 : 1. 

Husbands. What are our duties? 

Paul. Husbands, love your wives, even as 
Christ also loved the church, and gave himself 
for it. So ought men to love their wives as ther 
own bodies. Eph 5 : 2^^ 28. 

Wives. What are our appropriate duties? 

Peter. Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection 
to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the 
word, they may also, without the word, be woa 
by the conversation of the wives. 

1 Pet. 3 : 1. 

Masters. What are our duties? 

Paul. Masters, give unto your servants that 
which is just and equal; knowing that ye also 
have a Master in heaven. Col. 4 : 1. 

Servants. What is our dutv? 

Paul. Servants, obey in all things your mas- 
ters according to the flesh, not with eye-service,, 
as men-pleasers ; but in singleness of heart, 
fearing God. Col. 3 : 22. 

Magistrates. What is our duty ? 

Jeremiah. Thus saith the Lord ; execute ye 
judgment and righteousness, and deliver the 
spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, and do 



60 The Law. 

no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the 
fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent 
blood. Jer. 22 : 3. 

Subjects. What is ow duty? 

Paul. Let every soul be subject to the higher 
powers. Rom. 13 : 1. 

Nicodemus, In exercising my right as a citi- 
zen am I to take into consideration the moral 
character of those who rule over the people? or 
will the people be just as happy under the 
authority of the wicked as they will under the 
authority of the righteous? 

Solomon. When the righteous are in authori- 
ty the people rejoice: but when the wicked 
beareth rule, the people mourn. Prov. 29 : 2. 

Ministers of the gospel. What important 
work must we do? 

JESUS. Go ye into all the world, and preach 
the gospel to every creature. Mark. 16 : 15. 

Ministers. But some of us are pastors of par- 
ticular churches. 

Paul. Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, 
and to all the flock over the which the Holy 
Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the 
church of God, which He hath purchased with 
His own blood. Acts 20 : 28. 

Hearers, What is our duty towards minis- 
ters of the Gospel ? 



The Law. 61 

Paul. We beseech you, brethren, to know 
them which labor among you, and are over you 
in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem 
them very highly in love for their work's sake. 
And be at peace among yourselves. 

1 Thes. 5 : 12, 13. 

Nicodemus, Ought ministers to be supported 
by the people to whom they minister? 

Paul, Even so hath the Lord ordained that 
they which preach the gospel should live of the 
gospel. 1 Cor. 9 : 14. 

Nicodemus, By what general rule are we to 
be governed in our intercourse with each other? 

JESUS. All things whatsoever ye would 
that men should do to you, do ye even so to 
them : for this is the law and the prophets. 

Matt. 7 : 12. 

Nicodemus, Which is the sixth command- 
ment ? 

JEHOVAH. Thou shalt not kill. 

Ex. 20 : 13, 

Nicodemus, What is the proper punishment 
to be inflicted on the murderer? 

JEHOVAH. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, 
by man shall his blood be shed. Gen. 9 : 6. 

Nicodemus. Why is so severe a punishment 
required ? 



62 The Law. 

JEHOVAH, For in the image of God made 
he man. Gen. 9 : 6. 

Nicodemus, Is it not right to introduce a 
milder code, and abolish capital punishment ? 

Solomon. A man that doeth violence to the 
blood of any person shall flee to the pit ; let no 
man stay him. Prov. 28 : 17, 

Nicodemus^ Is anger sinful ? 

JESUS. Whosoever is angry with his broth- 
er without a cause, shall be in danger of the 
judgment. Matt. 5 : 22. 

Nicodemus,. Which is the seventh command- 
ment ? 

JEHOVAH. Thou shalt not commit adul- 
tery. Ex. 20 : 14. 

Nicodemus. Does this command forbid im- 
pure thoughts as well as impure actions? 

JESUS. Whosoever looketh on a woman to 
lust after her, hath committed adultery with her 
already in his heart. Matt. 5 : 28. 

Nicodemus, Which are blessed, those whose 
hearts are pure, or those whose hearts are im- 
pure? 

JESUS. Blessed are the pure in heart. 

Matt. 5 : 8. 

Nicodemus, Which is the eighth command- 
ment? 



The Law, 63 

JEHOVAH. Thou shalt not steal. 

Ex. 20 : 15. 

Nicodemus, Is fraud a violation of this com- 
mandment ? What instruction do you give on 
the subject of cheating ? 

Paul. That no man go beyond and defraud 
his brother in any matter : because that the Lord 
is the avenger of all such. 1 Thes. 4 : 6. 

Nicodernus, We sometimes go to law. Is 
it right for us to foster a spirit of litigation? 

Paul. There is utterly a fault among ycu, 
because ye go to law one with another. 

1 Cor. 6 : 7. 

Nicodernus, Which is the ninth command- 
ment? 

JEHOVAH. Thou shalt not bear false wit. 
ness against thy neighbor. Ex. 20 : 16. 

Nicodernus. How does God regard falsehood? 

Solomon. Lying lips are abomination to 
the Lord : but thev that deal trulv are his de- 
light. Prov. 12 : 22. 

Herbert, I have known religious men who 
did not adhere to the truth. 

James. If any man among you seem to be 
religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but decei- 
veth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 

Jas. 1 : 2^, 



64 The Law. 

Nicodemus, Which is the tenth eommand- 
ment? 

JEHOVAH. Thou shalt not covet thy 
neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neigh- 
bor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid 
servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing 
that is thy neighbor's. Ex. 20 : 17. 

Nicodemus. Is it wrong to be determined to 
get rich? 

Paul. They that will be rich, fall into temp- 
tation, and a snare, and into many foolish and 
hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction 
and perdition. 1st Tim. 6 : 9. 

Nicodemus, But may we not lay up earthly 
treasures as a portion? 

JESUS. Lay not up for yourselves treasures 
upon earth, where moth and rust doth cor- 
rupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and 
where thieves do not break through nor steal. 
For where your treasure is, there will your heart 
be also. Matt. 6 : 19—21. 

Nicodemus. But suppose that riches increase 
by industry and attention to business, what am 
I to do? 

David. If riches increase, set not your heart 
upon them. Ps. 62 : 10. 



The Lrrw. 65 

NicoJemus. Ought I not to provide for my 
family? 

Paul. If any provide not for his own, and 
especially for those of his ovrn house, he hath 
denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 

1st Tim. 5 : 8. 

Nicodemus. What is the sum of the com- 
mandments? 

JESUS. Thou Shalt love the Lord thy God 
with all thy heart, and all thy soul, and with 
all thy mind. This is the first and great com- 
mandment. And the second is like unto it. 
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On 
these two commandments hang all the law and 
the prophets. M:itt, 22 : 37—40. 

Nicodemus, But did'st not thou come to 
destroy the moral law, and pive a new one? 

JESUS. Think not that I am come to de- 
stroy the law, or the prophets ; I am not come 
to destroy, but to fulfil. j\ratt. 5:17. 

Nicodemus, Will the moral law never pass 
away? 

JESUS. It is easier for heaven and earth to 
pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. 

Luke 16 : 17. 

Nicodemus. But will not heaven and earth 
pass away? 



66 The Law, 

JESUS. Heaven and earth 5/JaZZpass away, 
but my words shall not pass away. 

Matt. 24 ; 35. 

TheoijJdlus. We rejoice that we have had 
so profitable an interview; and we will seek 
another soon. 

Paul. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ be with your Spirit. Gal. 6 : 18. 



INTERVIEW VI. 

MEANS OF GRACE. 

Nicodemus, Inspired teachers; permit us 
again to seek after truth. Let me ask, what ob- 
ject have ministers in preaching ? 

Paul. We preach, warning every man, and 
teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may 
present every man perfect in (^hrist Jesus. 

Col. 1 : 28. 

Nicodemus, Have you always been suc- 
cessful ? 

Isaiah. Who hath believed our report ? and 
to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? 

Isa, 53 : 1. 

Nicodemus. Why have so many failed to re - 
oeive benefit from the preached gospel ? 

Paul. The word preached did not profit 
them, not being mixed with faith in them that 
heard it. Heb. 4 : 2, 

Nicodemus, I have heard that Peter was 



68 Means of Grace. 

very successful on one occasion. What influ- 
ence had his sermon upon the hearers '? 

Luke. They were pricked in their heart, and 
said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men 
and brethren, what shall we do? 

Acts 2 : 37. 

Nicodemus, Did many join the church, as 
the result? 

Luke. The same day, there were added unto 
them about three thousand souls. 

Acts 2 : 41. 

Nicodemus, Is it sufficient to hear the word? 

James. Be ye doers of the word, and not 
hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 

Jas. 1 : 22. 

Nicodemus, Ought I diligently to read the 
Bible? 

JESUS. Search the scriptures ; for in them 
ye think ye have eternal life : and they are they 
which testify of me. Jno. 5 : 39. 

Nicodemus. What prayer ought I to offer 
when I read or hear God's word ? 

David. Open thou mine eyes, that I may 
behold wondrous things out of thy law. 

Ps. 119: 18. 

Nicodemus, Should I commit the scriptures 
to memory? 



Means of Grace. 69 

Paul. Let the word of Christ dwell in you 
richly in all wisdom. Col. 3:16. 

Nicodemus. Does the word of God itself 
quicken us, or is it only the instrument? 

JESUS. It is the Spirit that quickeneth. 

Jno. 6 : 63. 
Nicodemus, In whose name is baptism to be 
administered? 

JESUS. In the name of the Father, and of 
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 

Matt. 28 : 19. 

NicodemMs, Is it a privilege to be bap- 
tized] 

Paul. As many of you as have been baptized 
into Christ, have put on Christ. Gal. 3 : 27. 

Nicodemus. May I be baptized ? 

Phillip. If thou believest with all thine 
heart, thou mayest. Acts 8 : 37. 

Nicodemus. May my children be baptized 
also? 

Peter. The promise is unto you, and to your 
children. Acts 2 : 39. 

Nicodemus. To what promise do you refer? 

Peter, The covenant which God made with 
our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy 
seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 

Acts 3 : 25. 



70 Means of Grace. 

Nicodemus, How may I and mine be parta- 
kers of the blessings of the covenant ? 

Paul. If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abra- 
ham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. 

GaL 3 : 29. 

Nicodemus. When Lydia believed, were any 
baptized except herself ? 

Luke. She was baptized, and her household. 

Acts 16 : 15. 

Nicodemus, When the Jailor believed, who 
were baptized in consequence of it? 

Luke. He and all his. Acts 16 : 33. 

Nicodemus. Did Paul ever baptize any other 
household ? 

Paul. I baptized also the household of Ste- 
phanas. 1 Oor. 1 : 16. 

Nicodemus, I would be glad to learn how the 
Lord's Supper was instituted, and first adminis- 
tered to the disciples. 

Matthew. Jesus took bread, and blessed it, 
and brake it, and gave it to the disciples and 
said, Take, eat ; this is my body. And he took 
the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to 
them, saying. Drink ye all of it. 

Matt. 26 : 26, 27. 

Theophilus What is the main object of our 
celebrating the Lord's Supper? 



Means of Grace. 71 

Paul. As often as ye eat this bread, and 
drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death. 

1 Cor. 11 : 26. 

Nicodemus, How long will the church, by 
this ordinance, show forth the death of Christ? 

Paul. Till He come. 1 Cor. 11 : 26. 

Nicodemus, Ought I to partake of the Lord's 
Supper? 

JESUS. This do in remembrance of me. 

Luke 22 : 19. 

Nicodemus. Is there not danger in making so 
near an approach to God? 

Paul. Let a man examine himself, and so 
Jet him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 

1st Cor. 11:28. 

Nicodemus. What would be the consequence 
of partaking it in sin or unbelief? 

Paul. He that eateth and drinketh unwor- 
thily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, 
not discerning the Lord's body. 

1st Cor. 11 : 29. 

Herbert, I think that I can get to heaven if 
I do neglect the Lord's Supper. 

JESUS. Whosoever therefore shall confess 
me before men, him will I confess also before my 
father which is in heaven. Mat. 10 : 32, 33. 

Nicodemus. Will God receive me if I forsake 
the world and unite with his people? 



72 Means of Grace. 

Paul. Come out from among them, and be ye 
separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the un- 
clean thing ; and I will receive you; and will be 
a father unto you; and ye shall be my sons and 
dauditers. 2d Cor. 6 : 17, 18. 

JSicodemus, Is prayer a duty? 

JESUS. Men ought always to pray. 

Luke 18 : 1. 

Nicodemus, Does God certainly hear our 
prayers? 

John. If we ask anything according to his 
will, heheareth us. 1st. Jno. 5 : 14. 

Nicodeimis, In whose name are w^e to ask for 
blessings? 

JESUS. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father 
in my name, he will give it you. Jno. 16 : 23. 

Niccdemus, May I present my prayers 
through any other mediators, such as saints or 
angels? 

Paul. There is one Mediator between God 
and men, the man Christ Jesus. 

1st Tim, 2 : 5. 

Nicodemus. How are we to get light and as- 
sistance in prayers? 

Paul. We know not what we should pray 
for as we ought ; but the Spirit itself maketh in- 
tercession for us with groanings which cannot 
be uttered. Rom. 8 : 2^. 



Means of Grace. 73 

Nicodemus. May we indeed expect blessings 
in answer to prayer? 

JESUS. Ask, and iu shall be given you; 
seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be 
opened unto you. Luke 11:9. 

Nicodemus, Should I pray except in company 
with others? 

JESUS. Enter into thy closet, and when 
thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father 
which is in secret, and thy Father, which seeth 
in secret, shall reward thee openly. 

Matt. 6 : 6. 

Nicodemus. Have families and others, when 
meeting for prayer in a social manner, reason to 
expect a blessing? 

JESUS, Where two or three are gathered 
together in my name, there am I in the midst of 
them. Matt. 18 : 20. 

Nicodemus. Shall I certainly enter heaven if 
I pray? 

JESUS. Not every one that saith unto me, 
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of 
heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father 
which is in heaven. Matt. 7 : 21. 

Disciples. Lord teach us how to pray. 

JESUS. After this manner therefore pray 
ye : Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed 



74 Means of Grace. 

be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will 
be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this 
day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, 
as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into 
temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine 
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, 
forever. Amen. Matt. 6 : 9 — 13, 

Nicodemus, How are we to regard the sing- 
ing of God's praise? 

David. Praise ye the Lord : for it is good to 
sing praises unto our God Ps. 147 : 1. 

Nicodemus. By what means are we to please 
God in our Psalms of praise? 

Paul. Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and 
hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making 
melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks 
always for all things unto God and the Father, 
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Eph. 5 : 19, 20. 

Nicodemus. Much is said of late about the 
cause of benevolence. Am I to assist tlie 
poor? 

Solomon. He that hath pity upon the poor, 
lendethunto the Lord ; and that which He hath 
given will He pay him again. Prov. 19 : 17. 

Nicodemus, If I do not sympathize with the 
poor, and help them according to my ability, 
what will be the consequences to inyself ? 



Means of Grace. 75 

Solomon. Whoso stoppetli his ears at the 
cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but 
shall not be heard. Prov. 21 : 13. 

Nicodemus, How much is each one to give to 
benevolent objects? 

Paul. As God hath prospered him. 

1st. Cor. 16 : 2. 

Nicodemus. With what disposition should 
we give to the cause of Christ? 

Paul. Not grudgingly, or of necessity : for 
(xod loveth a cheerful giver. 2d Cor. 9 : 7. 

Nicodemus. May not a person give from im- 
proper motives, and therefore fail of a blessing? 

Paul. Though I bestow all my goods to feed 
the poor, and though I give my body to be burn- 
ed, and have not charity, it profitethme nothing. 

1st Cor,. 13 : 3. 

Nicodemus. Are we to desire the notice or 
others when we perform acts of kindness? 

JESUS. When thou docGt alms, let not thy 
left hand know what thy right hand doeth. 

Matt. 6 ; 3. 

Nicodemus. Will all be rewarded according 
to their deeds? 

JESUS. Behold, I come quickly; and my 
reward is with me, to give every man according 
as his work shall be.. Rev. 22 : 12. 



76 Means of Grace. 

Nicodemus. Will favors to God's children be 
acceptable to God? 

JESUS. Whosoever shall give to drink unto 
one of these little ones, a cup of cold water only, 
in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, 
he shall in no wise lose his reward. 

Matt. 10 : 42. 

Theophilus. Dost thou regard a kindness 
done to thine afflicted people as done to thee? 

JESUS. Verily I say unto you, inasmuch 
as ye have done it unto one of the least of these 
my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

Matt. 25 : 40. 

Nicodemus, Can we really profit Thee, or 
merit the favor of God? 

JESUS. When ye shall have done all those 
things which are commanded you, say, we are 
unprofitable servants : we have done that which 
it was our duty to do. Luke. 17 : 10. 



INTERVIEW VII. 

GOD'S EXPOSTULATIONS WITH VARIOUS CLASSES. 

Scofer. *' Where is the promise of His 
coming?" 

JEHOVAH. Gird up now thy loins like a 
man ; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou 
me. Job. 38 : 3. 

Scoffer., Here I am, prepared to argue that 
there is no such danger as the Bible declares 
of unbelievers. 

JEHOVAH. Shall he that contendeth with 
the Almighty instruct Him? He that reproveth 
God, let him answer it. Job. 40 : 2. 

Scorner, I have no fears. 

The Fool. **There is no God." Ps. 14 ; 1. 

JE HO VAH. How long, ye simple ones, will 
ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in 
scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn ye 
at my reproof, Prov. 1 : 22, 23. 

Caviller. If I am wrong, I am just what I 
was made. Why did God make me as I am? 



78 God^s expostulations with vario2is classes. 

JEHOVAH. Woe unto him that striveth 
with his Maker ! Let the potsherd strive with 
the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say 
to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? 

Isa. 45 : 9. 

Caviller, I say that I am not responsible for 
my conduct. If I am, I will turn in time. 

JEHOVAH. But the day of the Lord will 
come as a thief in the night ; iii the which the 
heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and 
the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the 
the earth also, and the works that are therein 
shall be burned up. 2 Pet. 3 : 10. 

Sceftic, That day is far distant. I will take 
my own course 

JEHOVAH. Because sentence against an 
evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the 
heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to 
do evil. Eccl. 8:11. 

Sceptics. We will enjoy the present life at 
any rate. 

JEHOVAH, What will you do in the day 
of visitation? Isa» 10 ; 3. 

Sceptic. I will strengthen myself as well as 
I can. 

JEHOVAH. Can thine heart endure, or 
can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall 
deal with thee? Ezek. 22 : 14. 



Gocf's expostulations w'l'h variotis classes, 79 

Sceptic. We will all iiiiite in comforting and 
upholding each other. 

JEHOVAH. Thougli hand join in hand, 
the wicked shall not be unpunished. 

Prov. 11 : 21. 

Sceptic. I don't think that the judgment is to 
be greatly dreaded. 

JEHOVAH, The day of the Lord is great 
and very terrible ; and who can abide it? 

Joel 2 : 11. 

Sceptic. I do not think that all my words and 
actions will be noticed. 

JEHOVAH. He that planted the ear, shall 
he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not 
see? Ps. 94 : 9. 

Sceptic. I think that I shall escape in some 
way, 

JEHOVAH. How long shall thy vain 
thoughts lodge within thee? Jer. 4 : 14. 

The Presumptuous. I will escape by resist- 
ance. 

JEHOVAH. Hast thou an arm like God? 
or canst thou thunder with a voice like Him? 

Job 40 : 9. 

Sinner, Have we no chance of being saved? 

JEHOVAH. Know ye not that the unright- 
eous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? 

1st Cor. 6 : 9. 



80 God^s expostulations with various classes. 

Sinner, I obey the laws of my country, an^ 
that is what some others do not. 

JEHOVAH. There is one Lawgiver, who is 
able to save and to destroy : who art thou that 
judgest another? Jas. 4 : 12. 

Sinner. I cannot but see the faults of others. 

JEHOVAH. And why beholdest thou the 
inote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest 
not the beam that is in thine own eye? 

ilatt. 7 : 3 

Sinner, I am as good as the majority. 

JEHOVAH. How long wilt thou refuse to 
humble thyself before me? Ex. 10 : 3. 

Sinner, I cannot so far humble myself as to 
believe on another for salvation. If saved, I 
will save myself. 

JESUS. He that believeth and is baptized, 
shall be saved ; but he that believeth not, shall 
be damned. Mark 16 : 16. 

Hypocrite. I have, been baptized, and am a 
communicant, and pray and fast! I shall be saved 
certainly. Unbelievers and tho>^e who commit 
sins however must expect to perish. 

Paul. Thinkest thou this, man, that 
Judgest them which do such things, and doest 
the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of 
God? Rom. 2 : 3. 



God^s expostulations with variotts classes. 81 

Hypocrite, I think that God is my friend for 
he gives me so many favors. 

Paul. Despisest thou the riches of his good- 
ness, and forbearance, and long-suffering ; not 
knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee 
to repentance] Eom. 2 : 4. 

Hypocrite. Why, you speak as though I was 
ignorant of the truth. This is what I inculcate 
on others. 

Paul. Thou therefore which teachest another, 
teaches t thou not thyself? Rom. 2:21, 

Hypocrite. But I am a holy man. You mis- 
take my character. 

Elii'iiaz. What is man, that he should be 
clean? Job 15 : 14. 

Hypocrite. Though not altogether free from 
sin, I am of service to God. 

Eliphaz. Can a man be profitable unto God? 

Job 22 : 2. 

Hypocrite, Yes, I make offerings to him, and 
worship him. 

JEHOVAH. When ye come to appear be- 
fore me, who hath required this at your hand, to 
tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations. 

Isaiah 1:12, 13. 

Hypocrite. But I am one of the sons and ser- 
vants of God. 



S2 GocTs exjjostulations with various classes. 

JEHOVAH. A son honoreth his father, 
and a servant his master : if then I be a father, 
where is mine honor? and it I be a master, where 
is my fear? Mai. 1:6. 

Hijpocrite, But good men fellowship me. 

JEHOVAH. What fellowship hath right- 
eousness with unrighteousness? and what com- 
munion hath light with darkness/ 

2 Cor. 6 : 14. 

Hypocrite. But I have gained a reputation 
for piety, and I hope to be saved. 

JEHOVAH. What is the hope of the hypo- 
crite, though he hath gained, when God taketh 
away his soul? will God hear his cry when 
trouble cometh upon him? Job. 27 : 8. 9. 

Worldling, I think religion well enough for 
those that have time, but I must be honest and 
make a living. 

JESUS. Seek ye first the kingdom of 
God, and his righteousness, and all these 
things shall be added unto you. 

Matt. 6 : 33. 
Worldling. I intend to secure as much of 
tliis world as I can at any rate. 

JESUS. What shall it profit a man, if he 
shall gain the whole world, and lose his own 
soul? Mark 8 : 36. 



God^s expostulations with varioiis classes. 83 

Worldling, I hope to escape such a calamity 
as the lo-ss of my soul. 

Paul. How shall \Ye escape, if we neglect so 
great salvation ? Heb. 2:3. 

Worldling, I do not intend to neglect it 
long^ but I have not time at prtsent, 

JEHOVAH. Behold, now is the accepted 
time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 

2 Cor. 6 : 2. 

Worldling, I think it safe for us to wait till 
to-morrow. 

James. Ye know not what shall be on the 
morrow. For what isyom' life? Jas. 4 : 14. 

Worldling, I think that I may venture a lit- 
tle longer, and surround myself with the com- 
forts of life. I will labor for these things now. 

JEHOVAH. Wherefore do ye spend money 
for that which is not bread? and your labor for 
that which satisfieth not? Isa. ^^ : 2. 

Worldling. I will acquire what I can, and 
then ''say to my soul, soul, thou hast much goods 
laid up for many years ; take thine ease, eat, 
drink, and be merry.'' After that, I will think 
of religion. 

JEHOVAH. Thou fool, this night thy soul 
shall be required of thee : then whose shall 
those things be which thou hast provided? 

Luke 12 : 20. 



84 God^s expostulations withs various classes. 

Worldling. If I have been too worldly, still 
I think I shall not be castaway. 

Peter. If the righteous scarcely be saved, 
where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 

1 Pet. 4 : 18. 

Worldling, I may as well speak out what I 
feel, and that is, I refuse to attend to religion 
now. 

JEHOVAH. Because I have called and ye 
refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no 
man regarded ; but ye have set at nought all 
my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I 
also will laugh at your calamity : I will mock 
;when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh 
as desolation, and vour destruction cometh as a 
whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh 
upon you, Prov. 1 ; 24 — 27. 



INTERVIEW VIII. 

THE ANXIOUS INQUIRER DIRECTED, 

Anxious Inquirer. I have reflected upon my 
sin and danger, and feel that I have neglected 
too long the things that belong to my peace. 

JEHOVAH. Will thou not from this time 
cry unt me, My father, thou art the guide of my 
youth? Jer. 3 : 4. 

Anxious Inquirer. Yes, for all is dark, and 
without a guide I lose my way. I find myself 
in the way of sin and death. 

JEHOVAH. Turn ye, turn ye from your 
evil ways ; for why will ye die? 

Ezek. 33 : 11. 

Anxious Inquirer. I tremble at the thought 
of going to perdition. 

Isaiah. Who among us shall dwell with the 
devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with 
everlasting burnings? Isa. 33 ; 14. 

Anxious Inquirer. Is there any help for me? 



86 The anxious inquirer directed. 

JEHOVAH. Is my hand shortened at all, 
that it cannot redeem? Isa. 50 : 2. 

Anxious Inquirer, But mine is a desperate 
case, and my heart is sore wounded. 

JEHOVAH. Is there no balm in Gilead : is 
there no physician there? Jer. 8 : 22. 

Anxious Inquirer, But my sins are great and 
numerous; I have slighted the Saviour and 
grieved his Spirit. I fear that the Spirit will 
strive with me no more. 

JEHOVAH. Is the Spirit of the Lord strait- 
ened? > Mic. 2 : 7. 

Aitxious Inquirer, Lord Jesus, help me. 

JESUS. What wilt thou that I shall do unto 
i\\^^% Lu. 18 : 4L 

Anxious Inquirer, 0, I am vile with the 
leprosy of sin. 

JESUS. Wilt thou be made whole? 

Jno. 5 : 6. 

Anxious Inquirer, Yes, if such sins as mine 
can be cleansed. 

JEHOVAH. Though your sins be as scarlet, 
they shall be as white as snow ; though they be 
red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 

Isa. 1 : 18. 

Anxious Inquirer, To whom shall I look for 
salvation? 



The anxious mquirer directed. 87 

JESUS. Look unto me, and be ye saved. 

Isa. 45 : 22. 

Anxious Inquirer. Wilt thou receive one so 
unworthy? 

JESUS. Him that eometh to me^ I will in 
no wise cast out. Jno. 6 : 37. 

Anxious Inquirer^ Alas, I have nothing to 
bring by which to purchase thy favor. 

JESUS. I will give unto him that is athirst, 
of the fountain of the water of life freely. 

Rev. 21 : 6. 

A7ixio2cs Inquirer. This is good news! I 
thirst for the water of life.^ May I indeed come 
and obtain it, poor and needy as I am? 

JEHOVAH. Ho, every one that thirsteth, 
come ye to the waters, and he that hath no 
money ; come ye, buy, and eat ; yea, come, buy 
wine and milk without money and without price. 

Isa. ^5 : 1. 

Anxious Inquirer, I long for rest to my bur- 
dened heart. 

JESUS. Come unto me, all ye that labor 
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Matt. 11:28. 

Anxious Liquirer. What must I do to be 
saved? 

Paul. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
thou shaltbe saved. Acts 16 ; 3L 



88 The anxious inquirer directed^ 

Anxious Inquirer, Must I submit to God's 
authority? 

Paul. Be ye reconciled to God. 

2 Cor, 5 : 20. 

Believing Inquirer, Lord Jesus, I receive 
Thee as my Saviour, to be saved by thee alone. 
Take me just as I am, and make me what I 
ought to be. 

JESUS, Go thy way; and as thou hast be- 
lieved, so be it done unto thee. 

Matt. 8 : 13. 

Believing Inquirer. Is it so that I am accept- 
ed? What shall I render to God for all his kind- 
ness] 

Paul. Glorify God, in your body, and in your 
spirit, which are God's, 1st Cor. 6 ; 20, 

Believing Inquirer, How may 1 glorify God? 

JESUS. Herein is my father glorified, that 
ye bear much fruit. Jno. 15 : 8. 

Believing Inquirer, What is the fruit of the 
Spirit? 

Paul. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, 
peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 
meekness, temperance. Gal. 5 : 22, 23. 

Believing Inquirer, May I expect assistance 
in trying to do my duty? 

JEHOVAH. I will never leave thee, nor for- 
sake thee. Heb. 13:5. 



The anxious inquirer directed. 89 

Believing Inquirer, I fear that I shall fall 
under the power of temptation. 

Paul. God is faithful, who will not suffer 
you to be tempted above that ye are able ; but 
will with the temptation also make a way to 
escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 

1st Cor. 10 : 13. 

Belie vi?ig Inquirer. Will that Saviour whom 
I have now chosen sympathise with us in our 
difficulties and sorrows'? 

Paul. We have not an High Priest which 
cannot be touched with the feeling of our infir- 
mities : but was in all points tempted like as we 
are, yet without sin. Heb. 4 : 15. 

Believing Inquirer, In time of trouble what 
course shall I pursue? 

JEHOVAH. Call upon me in the day of 
trouble : I will deliver thee. Ps. 50 : 15. 

Believing Inquirer, As I have now set out in 
the path of life, how may I continually obtain 
God's direction? 

Solomon. In all thy ways acknowledge him, 
and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3 : 6. 

^Established Believer. Thou shalt guide me 
with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to 
glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and 
there is none upon earth that I desire beside 
thee. Ps. 73 : 24, 25, 



90 The anxious inquirer directed. 



Paul. If God be lor us, who can be against 
usi Rom. 8 : 31. 

Believer, Will Jesus always love us? 
Paul. Who shall separate us from the love 



of Christ? 

Believer, 
found. 

JESUS. 

Believer, 



Rom. 8 : 35, 
What a precious Saviour I have 



Lovest thou me? Jno. 21 : 17. 
Lord, thou knowest all things : 
thou knowest that I love thee. Jno. 21 : 16. 

JESUS. Behold, I come quickly ; and my 
reward is with me, to give every man according 
as his work shall be. Rev. 22 ; 12. 

Dylng Saint. Even so, come. Lord Jesus. 

Rev. 22 : 20. 
Glorified Saints. Salvation to our God 
which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the 
Lamb. Rev. 7 : 10. 

Holy Angels. Blessing, and glory, and 
wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, 
and might, be unto our God forever and ever. 
Amen. Rev. 7 : 12. 

JESUS. There is joy in the presence of the 
angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. 

Luke 15 : 10. 




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